What makes a Precision so good?

[pbass2]

Its the PU...reckon u could stick it on a dead fish and it would still sound good (the fish that is).

But....I'd still love someone to explain why you hardly ever see modern house players, jazz fusion guys, Gospel players, cruise ship guys and pit guys playing them....everywhere I look its all boutique fivers or at the very least the Jazz bass.

I think because they're shooting for versatility a bit more. Ironically though, a pbass doesn't need to be versatile--it sounds great in pretty much any setting (so, well then I guess it IS actually quite versatile!)

 

[jmlee]

As mentioned repeatedly, a lot of the attraction is simplicity, ergonomics, and sound. That's what attracted me. But that's not the real reason I play a Precision-style bass. I'm reminded of an old question Microsoft used to pose when interviewing job candidates: "Why are manholes round?" Answer: It doesn't matter why. It's a standard.

You do know that's not the answer to that question?

 

[Bunk McNulty]

You do know that's not the answer to that question?

Enlighten me?

 

[z65]

its simplicity, Leo Fender was a genius.

 

[jmlee]

Enlighten me?

They're round because that's the only geometry where the cover can't fall through the opening onto the heads of workers below.

 

[placedesjardins]

I have my own opinion. I'm just curious of yours. Nostalgia? Tone? Feel? History?

If the P bass wasn't the 'original' (so to speak) would it still be as popular today?

I'm a big P bass fan, it's got what I'm looking for. Growl, tone, looks... etcetera.

Laser beams that blast from the headstock towards enemy dinosaurs.

 

[JesseVMT]

Laser beams that blast from the headstock towards enemy dinosaurs.

If by laser beams you mean 'flats' and by dinosaurs you mean 'Ego McShreddy' then I agree.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

They're round because that's the only geometry where the cover can't fall through the opening onto the heads of workers below.

Ah, yes. My answer, while not correct, is in fact the Microsoft answer. Which tells you something about Microsoft.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I dunno. I don't own one.

 

[Matthew Barrack]

The sound, the look, the feel, the everything.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I dunno. I don't own one.

Well, THERE's your first problem.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Well, THERE's your first problem.

I've owned several - even sold one recently. The only one I had that I really, really liked was one of those P-Bass Plus "boner" basses from the early 90s. That was a good bass - recorded really well too.

 

[jmlee]

Ah, yes. My answer, while not correct, is in fact the Microsoft answer. Which tells you something about Microsoft.

Boy, does it ever. Welcome to Windows. It sucks but it's the standard. P-basses are the standard but so don't suck. Gates, Jobs, and Fender. Compare and contrast in 500 words or less.

 

[Third Stone From the Sun]

Im still a J bass for life club member

 

[DigitalMan]

They are the Greatest Bass ever but only if it has Tort...

Wrong!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

So really, it occurs to me that there is a question here - what is it that makes a P-bass so useful? Is it simplicity, (which is excels at), the pickup design (which only seems to work well in one, single place on a bass - but does work really well *right there*); Those are about the only things that have been consistent in the design...

 

[tangentmusic]

The fact any P bass can be made PJ

PJ's are perfect, cant say Im a fan of a P without a J pickup on board.

Agreed

 

[boxtop]

I have my own opinion. I'm just curious of yours. Nostalgia? Tone? Feel? History?

If the P bass wasn't the 'original' (so to speak) would it still be as popular today?

I'm a big P bass fan, it's got what I'm looking for. Growl, tone, looks... etcetera.

I'm a big fan too. In fact I just bought a 1958 re-issue that looks exactly like my first P-bass. I wish I still had my original one that I picked up in a hock shop for about $200. It's the blonde model like Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys played.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

In a thread that was on the front page....


The knobs

 

[JesseVMT]

I'm a big fan too. In fact I just bought a 1958 re-issue that looks exactly like my first P-bass. I wish I still had my original one that I picked up in a hock shop for about $200. It's the blonde model like Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys played.

Very cool. Can I see?